The landscape of Hoppers Crossing has undergone a significant change, with the level crossing on Old Geelong Road now gone for good.
A new 220-metre road bridge has been constructed over the rail line, with the state government marking its completion on Wednesday, December 8.
Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly said: “This is a great day for the Hoppers Crossing community, with the level crossing on Old Geelong Road officially gone for good and the new road bridge open, slashing congestion and making travelling around the area safer and more reliable.
”The Hoppers Crossing level crossing, the 55th level crossing removed by the state government, has a surface area of almost 40,000 square metres.
The state government originally committed to removing the Old Geelong Road level crossing by 2025.
But the project was fast-tracked and the level crossing has been removed four years ahead of schedule.
“Some said it wasn’t possible to remove 50 level crossings, but we achieved that a year ahead of schedule and will do plenty more – saving time for motorists in the west by taking away the lottery of waiting at the boom gates,” Werribee MP Tim Pallas said.
The new Hoppers Crossing bridge, which directly connects Princes Highway to Old Geelong Road, will be used by about 18,000 vehicles per day.
The city-bound Princes Freeway off-ramp to Hoppers Crossing also reopened last week, connecting motorists from the southwest with Old Geelong Road and Princes Highway via the road bridge intersection.
Traffic lights have been installed at two new intersections on either side of the road bridge, with links to ramps to the Princes Freeway.
Works to upgrade nearby roads and intersections will continue into next year.
The final road layout will see new lanes opened on Heaths Road and Old Geelong Road, as well as an upgrade of the Heaths Road and Morris Road intersection.
A new pedestrian overpass will be installed to provide access to Hoppers Crossing train station.
